St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-27
At the End of His Time He
Will Retire to Obscurity
and Peace.
The President and Other Nota-
bles to Attend the Funeral |
Of Daniel Manning.
A Romantic Affair Which
Loses Flavor by the Lack
of Names.
Special 70 the Globe.


Barlow, of Sauk Center, probable
leader, the followinr will be the fore
most candidates for the position of
W. 'ich I'll n. Knute Nelson is tired: II.
SteenersOn, of CrookstOn: s. q. Com
stock, of MOOrhead: Col. Graves and
Judge Stearns, of Duluth; Senator
Harry Wells, of Morr S; c. F. Kindred,
of Brainerd; E. G. Holmes, of Detroit; !;
E. E. Corliss, of Fergus Falls
Soren Listoe, of Breckenridge; G..
A. Whether, of Wadena; S ma
tor Buckman, of Sauk Ra ids, and
Gov. Gilman, of st. Cloud. Mr..
Nelson says: "The report of my re-
tirement from political life is true.
Aft my present term shall ne er, l
hope, have anything to do with
congress or any other elect
i've position. In 1882 1 had a
hard fight, and won by 1850
majority. In 1884 won by $4,000, about
1000 more than Blaine received. In
1856 was the almost unanimous choice
of my district. Having made up my
mind to retire from the political arena,
it seems to me that this is q fitting time.
Some men stay in as long as they can,
become old in service, and then are
kicked out when they are gray headed
and feeble or otherwise unfit for the
stern realities of life. While my pO-.
litical affairs are i'm good condition I
have concluded to step aside and let
others grasp the ignus fatuus which
allures so many. When ] first came to
congress / gave up fair country law
practice that is worth more to me than
a seat in the house. | would rather
have that and live at home than hold
place i'm the lower house indefinitely.
When it was suggested to Mr.. Nelson
that he as risen to political prOmi-
nence which would warrant his con-
tinuance in public life, with higher
position i'm view, he said: II do not
want anything political any more. Con-
gress is q place for rich men, and not
for poor men, or those who have but
moderate means. You can say, and |
would be glad if you will emphasize it,
that there is nothing of dissatisfaction,
bitterness, bargaining, anger or malice
in my retirement from pOlitica life. l
have but one regret, and that is the. re-
gret of all men who leave q position,
either voluntarily or otherwise, namely,
that my many friends, those who have
stood by me in congress, conventions
and at the polls. may be displeased and
disappointed by my action. Whe a
man retireS from a congressional posi-
ton he
SEEMS TO TURN HIS BACK
upon all W no have been his friends, but
IN my case it is necessary. | want to re-
turn to my practice and to my home.
do not expect nor want to become rich
hftt i n r1f tn a
country law practice which will be a
competence to me and my family. If
my health is spared, believe that | can
do that and be free from the many OBJ
legations which rest upon a politician,
making him everybOdy's servant. The
compensation of a congressman is too
small to induce man of family to re-
main long in the position. Some men
live on here until they become attached
to Washington, and it breaks their
hearts to be obliged to leave. When
they are left out by their constituents
they either try to live here and keep up
appearances, or else they always pine
for the city and former position. For my
own part, have never allowed such
feeling to come over me. Minnesota
is my home, and no other place can win
my affections away from her. AleXan-
10 SltudJCu III tlC VI q 5lCdI
country, and it is leading health re-
sort. cannot say who will be likely to
succeed me. There are many good men
in the district, and many are ambitious
TO come to congress. When one man
drops out he is not missed much, and
plenty of good men are ready to more
than fill his place. Now,I tell you most
sincerely and positively, that it is not
competition which induces me to retire;
it is not unfriendliness from or towards
any person or persons. 1t is simply my
own deliberate judgment for my own
good. and for the welfare and future
comfort of my family and myself. That
is ALA Mr.. Nelson would say no more,
but it is surmised that in addition to his
recently expressed reasons for the step,
there might be added the other reason
that he is not in harmony entirely with
the extreme protectionist ideas of the
party.